2026 CHEVROLET CORVET

CORVETTE VENTUR
ES INTO NEW TERRITORY WITH HYRID AND AWD E-RAY MODELS

Hybrid-assisted drivetrain and all-wheel drive are not things that you would normally associate with the Chevrolet Corvette, but the company added both features to the iconic sports car it launched as a 2024 model in January of 2023.

After adding an electric motor and all-wheel drive, Chevy dubbed this Corvette the E-Ray. Just two years after its debut, it then overhauled the 2026 E-Ray’s interior, moving the long string of buttons that lined the center console to buttons on the center stack under the touchscreen.

Interestingly, the electric motor drives the 2026 Corvette E-Ray’s front wheels while the mid-engine V8 drives the rear wheels via an 8-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. Combined horsepower and torque is listed as 655 hp and 595 pound-feet resulting in a zero-to-60 mph clocking of well under 3 seconds.

Set to stealth mode, the E-Ray can go short distances using the 160 horsepower electric motor only. Chevy puts the range at 4-5 miles at a speed up to 45 mph, so no, this isn’t a way to save on fuel on daily commutes to work.

Also, don’t expect a big bonus in fuel mileage from the E-Ray’s hybrid assist. With ratings of 16 miles-per-gallon city, 24 highway and 19 combined, the 2026 E-Ray is not as thirsty as performance-oriented  Z06 and ZR1 trims, but the base Corvette Stingray earns similar numbers from the EPA. Where the E-Ray beats the Stingray is in horsepower and torque with an advantage of 165 hp and 130 lb.-ft.

Chevy didn’t spare anything when it came to refreshing the interior. In addition to the elimination of the so-call “wall of buttons” that lined the center console separating the driver and passenger, a new 12.7-inch touchscreen at the top of the center stack replaces the old 8-inch screen and is flanked by a 14-inch driver information center. A 6.6-inch third screen to the driver’s left provides a way to position the head-up display, record trip data, and adjust Performance Traction Management.

Tech and comfort features are aplenty. They include dual-zone air conditioning, heated and ventilated seats, a rear camera mirror, Bose audio system, an entertainment package with built-in Google, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, 8-way power bucket seats with leather upholstery, and a carbon-fiber steering wheel.

Standard exterior features include remote top activation (down only), heated outside mirrors, LED headlights, a composite front splitter, and rear spoiler.

Rear Park Assist, Rear Cross-traffic Alert, blind=zone alert, forward collision alert, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and an enhanced theft deterrent system are among standard safety features.

The 2026 Chevy Corvette E-Ray joins Z06 and ZR1 with six-figure starting MSRPs for both coupe and convertible form. The base Stingray runs from $70,000 to $81.750 as a coupe and $77,000 to $88,750 as a convertible..

My test 2026 Chevrolet E-Ray Convertible in
3LZ trim started at $126,550. But options like carbon fiber wheels and interior trim, a carbon fiber display hood above the driver information center, carbon fiber and sueded steering wheel, sueded seat inserts and more ran the final bottom line to $155,895 including the $1,995 destination fee and $1,000 carbon fiber wheel discount.

Here’s some interesting trivia. The very first Corvette in 1953 started at $3,498, which is equivalent to $38,000 to $42,000 in today’s dollars according to AI. The website Dollar Times, reports that a gallon of gas would cost you 29 cents on average that year, which is $3.52 in today’s figures.

Stop beating your head against the wall.

What I liked about the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible: Performance is breathtaking. The updates give the Corvette a more sophisticated interior with the tech features that are de rigueur for vehicles in this price range. The solid roof makes for a quiet ride before being lowered. A trunk in front (frunk) as well behind the engine provides a little more cargo space but this is not a vehicle for Home Depot or Lowe’s runs. The hard-top roof lowers and raises with the push/pull of a convenient button. The passenger will appreciated the new arrangement of buttons.

What I didn’t like about the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible: Getting in an out, especially on the driver’s side, is a chore. The flat-bottom steering wheel helps a little but not a lot.  Be nice if it raised automatically when the engine is turned off. Rear visibility is restricted with the roof in place.  

Would I buy the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible? The six-figure price tag shrinks the potential market but if it is within your budge, by all means this vehicles belongs on a list of super cars like Ferrari and Lamborghini. 

2026 CHEVROLET SILVERADO

AFTER COOLING A BIT, OUR LOVE AFFAIR 

WITH PICKUP TRUCKS HEATING UP AGAIN

After cooling off a bit in 2024, America’s love affair with pickup trucks seems to be warming up again.

Ford, which lost the top spot in overall U.S. vehicle sales to Toyota’s RAV4 two years ago, regained the lead for 2025, beating out long-time rival Chevrolet and its Silverado pickup with over 620,500 F-Series sold. With sales hitting 577,000, the Chevy’s Silverado earned the second spot over RAV4 sales of 479,000.

Trailing the leaders in the truck segment for 2025 were the Ram 1500, GMC Sierra, and Toyota Tacoma.

The year has started off with Ford retaining its lead but seeing a 19 percent drop in F-Series sales to under 48,000. Numbers for the Silverado have yet to be announced, but the Chevy ia expected to stay at No. 2 and perhaps a bit closer to the lead at least for the segment.

The Silverado 1500 serves as the keystone model for Chevy’s gtruck fleet, sitting between the slightly smaller Colorado and the larger heavy duty Silverados. 

The 2026 Chevy Colorado is offered in nine trims with the Work Truck serving as the base. A variety of engine choicrs, cab configurations, and bed capacities are scattered throughout the portfolio, giving buyers a multitude of options to fit their needs.

This review is based on the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Crew Cab that sits near the top of the lineup. Its 5.3-liter Ecotec3 V8 engine is rated at 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. 

While power is adequate, fuel efficiency falls short of its F150 and Ram 1500 rivals. The Silverado 5.3L V8 is rated at 16 miles-per-gallon city, 20 highway, and 17 combined compared to 18/24/20 for the F150 5.0L V8  and 18/22/19 for the HEMI V8 in the Ram 1500. The advantage for the F150 EcoBoost V6 and Ram Diesel V6 are even more significant.

With a starting price of over $60,000, the 2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ offers a lot in the way of comfort features in the cabin.

Chevy’s Infotainment3 with built-in Google connects your Smartphone for hands-free calling, navigation, and music streaming. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the 13.4-inch touchscreen offers a high-resolution screen to work all those systems.

Chevy’s Autotrac Transfer Case (for control of all-wheel drive functions), Stabilitrac for trailer sway and hill start assist, and trailer brake control also are standard.

Dual Zone Climate control, front leather appointed ventilated and heated front seats, a rear folding bench seat with storage, and a heated wrapped steering wheel are among standard interior features. 

Exterior features include a cornerstep rear bumper, LED cargo area lighting, LED fog lights, and front recovery hooks.

With a starting MSRP of $61,300, the LTZ trails only the High Country and ZR2 models when it comes to Silverado. My test LTZ also came with several extras like power running boards (a must), adaptive cruise control, and a multi-flex tailgate that ran the final total to $69,635 including the hefty $2,595 destination charge.

Keep in mind the Work Truck base Silverado starts at under $37,000 with other trims registering in the $40,000 and $50,000 range.

What I liked about the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: There are infotainment features aplenty and the touchscreen display is easy to use. The cabin is spacious and comfortable with 43.4 inches of legroom in the second row. The V8 engine packs plenty of punch.

What I didn’t like about the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: The size  is a handicap when looking for parking spots in many mall parking lots and parking garages. Power retractable running boards are a must but cost extra.

Would I buy the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500? I’m just not a truck person, but there is a reason the Silverado has regained the No. 2 spot in U.S. pickup sales behind Ford’s F-150 Series. It’s a very serviceable truck and good looking as well.